Poetry means to embrace our humanity and share it with others.

 

Poetry is much more than writing words and rhymes.  Poetry means giving.  The deeds of giving, sharing and helping are very important aspects of the wide concept of poetry. 

 

Gifts are normally given for birthdays and certain holidays.  Actually, we feel more alive when we give our hearts every day of our lives.  We don’t need special occasions to show friends how important they are to us. 

 

 

Imagine your whole life as a gift to someone you love.  Poetry means giving.

 

Many times we don’t know what gift to give to our family or friends.  This column suggests a perfect gift for every person that you know.  Close your eyes and imagine that you, yourself, are a gift.  Imagine gift-wrapping yourself, and presenting yourself as a poetic gift to a close friend.  The gift includes contents, operating instructions and your personal guarantee.

 

Contents

 

Write a poem to describe the “contents” of your gift.  This refers to unique memories that you share with your friend.  Describe feelings or memories specific to each part of your body.  Write two to four lines of poetry to illustrate yourself as a gift.

 

Sample lines of poetry

1.  This gift contains one heart that sings along with you

2.  My smile is created fresh every time we meet down by the river

3.  This gift contains two lungs that echo with the laughter we share

4.

5.

 

Operating Instructions

 

Many gifts come with operating instructions, but for some reason, we do not receive operating instructions with friends.  Sadly, we only learn how to “operate” our friends after we have hurt them.  For this reason, write down some operating instructions about yourself.  This will help the person who receives your gift take better care of you.  Add two more lines of poetry to the following examples.

 

Sample Operating Instructions

1.  When you call my name, my whole heart warms

2.  Listening to my sadness is like massaging my heart

3.  Be gentle when your words must cross my grain

4.

5.

 

Personal Guarantee

 

In consumer society, most things are expected to last only one to three years.  Thus, manufacturers give guarantees for only a short time.  Then, they expect you to buy something new.  Fortunately, friendship is not a consumer item.  Friendship is much more durable and long lasting than electronic consumer goods.  By presenting yourself as a gift to your friend, write your personal guarantee to that friend.  Add your own lines to the following examples.

 

Samples of Personal Guarantee

1.                  This life is a poetic gift; it is yours forever

2.                  If this gift becomes tired, friendship restores its strength

3.                  If you get bored with this gift, please make suggestions to improve it

4.                   

5.                   

 

How will you “package” the gift?

 

This whole activity is a metaphor that compares your life to a gift.  So far, you’ve written details about the content, operation and guarantee of the gift.  Handwrite your poem on good quality, natural paper.  Then create an attractive package.  This can include a drawing, painting, a box, ribbons and a bow to decorate the poem.  The gift giving ceremony is up to you.  What will you say when you deliver yourself as a gift to your friend?